Page 16 of Wild Rose (Blue River Springs #1)

Wilder

I’m back at the Saddle Room after doing some rounds at the ranch. The ride did me some good. But a cold shower would be even better.

I settle for a splash of cold water in the washroom and run a hand down my face. Then glare at myself in the cloudy mirror as I grip the sink hard enough to nearly tear it off the wall.

Fuck’s sake, this is Wesley’s sister.

And I damn near kissed her like the reckless fool I am. A fool I said I’d never be again.

But the urge fell flat when she called herself stupid. Did I make her feel stupid?

Of course I did. Either that or she feels utterly useless since I wouldn’t let her fix her mistake.

Damage control.

I need to find a way to make this work with Rose. For Wesley’s sake.

Right?

I hear the Saddle Room door swing open, followed by the faint clinking of ice cubes swooshing in a plastic cup. When I turn around, Rose is back. Less flushed and seemingly more .?.?. perky.

Another reason I hate caffeine.

I hang the towel on the bar and step out of the small room.

I eye the two large cups. “When do you expect to get any work done if you’re drinking coffee all day?”

She ignores me and crosses to my desk. “So, I was thinking all this grumpiness could be cured with a little bit of caffeine.” She sets the larger one on my desk. “I swear it’s the answer to everything.”

My reaction is barely an eye roll. It’s more of a subtle shift as if to ask if she’s done rambling.

When she offers me a wide smile, I take it as a yes and cross to my desk, handing her a note. “Kramer from Red Barn Supplies is expecting your call. Said he’d prefer to talk to the ‘lovely lady’ regarding next week’s deliveries and something about bulk pricing negotiations?” I perk a brow.

She pulls her lips from her straw with a moan.

“Oh, I knew he’d come around. I noticed his past two deliveries were late and there was nothing in your contract about credits or guarantees.

So I told him we’re getting rates from a few competitors who are known for timely deliveries and have been soliciting us for years. ”

“What competitors?”

She glances up with a shrug. “Oh .?.?. I googled them on the spot; I think they were .?.?. Lone Star Supply and .?.?. Hideaway Springs.”

“Hideaway Springs isn’t a supplier. That’s a town about ten miles north.”

She winces. “Well, Kramer didn’t seem to notice. Anyway, I told him they promised on-time deliveries and bulk value rates. So he said to give him two days and he’d come back to me with a new proposal and an amended contract that clearly covers reliable deliveries.”

I cross my arms.

“And I did it all without raising my voice, cowboy,” she says softly.

“Fine, looks like you’ve got a handle on it. When you’re done, I left a few things for you on your desk.”

She frowns, dropping her gaze to her desk. “Timecards?”

I nod, picking up the iced coffee she brought me. “Said you can fix it, right?”

She frowns. “You pre-signed them.”

I blink, hoping it says it all. “That’s right. Soon as you’re done, just take them over to Ginger, and she’ll reissue the checks.”

A small smile plays on her lips, but she quickly replaces it with a curt nod. “I’ll get them over to her by the end of the day.”

I put my hat back on and turn toward the door.

“Wait,” she calls.

I turn back slowly, needing to get out of this room.

She holds my gaze for a beat. “I’m sorry about earlier. That was immature. I just really wanted to—”

“No need. I was being a jerk of a boss.” I lick my bottom lip irritably. “I apologize.”

She smiles. “Sure you don’t want to look them over when I’m done?”

And spend more time in close proximity with you?

That wouldn’t be wise.

I grip the handle and pull the door open. “I trust you.”

The screen door creaks as I push through it to step into the ranch office. Ginger looks up over her red-framed glasses.

“What’s doin’, boss?”

I still don’t like Ginger calling me boss when she practically helped raise me on this ranch. But Dallas and I are done arguing with her. She claims it’s easier than our names. “The invoices Rose brought by yesterday have already been paid.”

“Terrific. Thanks, Ginger.”

She smiles sweetly. “It helps when I get them back quickly instead of having to send you daily reminders to go through ’em.”

“Yeah, well, Rose pinned me down Wednesday on your behalf,” I tell her.

She nods curtly. “That girl’s been doing well here. Real sharp. Organized those files we’ve been meaning to get done for months.”

“She been hangin’ out here a lot?”

Ginger shrugs. “Few hours yesterday and for a bit late Wednesday afternoon. Says she’s bored. Comes here for somethin’ to do.”

“Thought I’d given her plenty.”

“She’s quick.”

“You mean she’s slick,” Brett argues.

Ginger shakes her head. “You hush back there. The girl needed to get around,” she barks back.

I scratch the back of my neck, speaking of golf carts. “She complainin’ about me yet?”

“Like I’d tell you.”

I smirk. “Listen, a few of the guys are going to stop by here with their checks before the end of the day. Going to need them reissued.”

She sets her glasses down. “Why?”

“There were some errors.”

She winces. “Oh.”

“It’s no big deal. She’ll stop by with the corrected amounts later.”

Setting her glasses back over the tip of her nose, she makes a note for herself. I notice it’s a long list. Ginger isn’t that young anymore. And the additional work will have her leaving here after dark, I’m sure of it.

But the guys need to be paid right today.

“Reminds me,” I pull a few bills from my wallet and reach over the desk. “Greatly appreciate it if you get that done tonight.”

She perks a brow. “Mighty generous.”

I give her a small smile. Dropping a bonus here and there for the extra mile is nothing new to Dallas and me.

But we take particular care of Ginger. She was a second mother to us.

And we’re almost sure she’s sticking around past retirement to watch over us.

Either that or giving Dad the scoop on the business.

I’d like to think it’s more sentimental than that.

She stuffs the cash somewhere inside her blouse. “You got yourself a deal, boss.”

Before I can utter a thank you, the door swings open behind me.

I turn to see a man step inside, his boots scuffing against the wooden floor.

He looks to be in his late fifties, maybe early sixties, strong build with a lined face.

His hat is worn and his shirt wrinkled, but his posture is steady, confident.

His eyes find mine instantly, sharp but not hostile. “You Dallas?”

I cross my arms. “Wilder, his brother. What can I do for you?”

The man’s gaze flicks to Ginger, then back to me. “I’m looking for Dallas.”

“I get that. He’s unavailable. What can I do for you?

” My stomach tightens as I imagine what kind of trouble Dallas got himself into.

We don’t have many rivals. Callahan Ranch—which just barely crosses the border of Blue River—is the only one.

And Dallas and I know that family inside out. He’s not one of them.

Maybe this guy owns a bar in town and is here to collect on damage? Damage my brother caused?

“Do you know where I can find him? I was told I could catch him here.”

“By who?”

The man shifts at my tone, resting his hand on his belt. He’s not threatening in the least. That much, I’m sure. There’s a guardedness about him. Like he’s been preparing for confrontation. “This is personal business, sir,” he states evenly.

I raise an eyebrow, softening, but only a tad. “Well, like I said, he’s not here. Maybe I can help? This have anything to do with damage to property? You here to serve him or something?”

The man frowns. “No. Is Dallas a violent man? Should I be worried?” The way he asks isn’t sharp or rude, just firm. Still, it hits like a challenge.

“Should I?”

The man stares at me.

“No,” I sigh. “He’s not a violent man. He’s a kind soul who’s hurting at the moment, so we’re giving him some time. You’ll have to excuse me if I’m being protective of my big brother when a stranger stops in demanding to see him.”

As if he’s been holding it in the entire time, the man releases a steady breath. “I understand. And no, I’m not here for trouble. I’ll see myself out.”

“Look, mister, we don’t get many strangers wandering into our main office asking to see one of the owners. If it’s important enough to track him down, maybe you can tell me what’s going on.”

The man hesitates, his eyes narrowing like he’s going to say something. But then he stops, shakes his head again, and backs off. “I’ll come back,” he says simply, then leaves.

I stare at the door for a long moment, my jaw tight. “You ever seen him before?”

“Nope. But he was cute. Did ya have to kick him out so quickly?”

I shake my head and place my hat back on. “Thanks again, Ginger.”

“I’d bet my paycheck he’s not done with us yet.”

“Yeah,” I mutter, my mind already turning over possibilities. None of them are good. “I better go talk to Dallas. See if he has any clue who that might’ve been.”